Experience Post

I really enjoyed this lecture because the information and the concepts were so new but I was still able to appreciate the Japanese aesthetic, especially through listening to Tanizaki’s writing. I really resonated with Sabi, viewing things that are imperfect as more beautiful because of it. I feel like my personal taste and outlooks are very similar to that. In addition, I think that to some extent, modern society still appreciates this as well. I thought a lot about how hand-crafted things are often more expensive or more valued even if they aren’t perfect but especially because they aren’t perfect. I also thought about the tea ceremony and how beautiful it would be. The presentation and the pictures really helped me to visualize what they are like. I’ll definitely look more into that process and what tools and dish-wear they use. Another lasting image was that of the shadows and the house at night, lit only by candles. I do agree with Tanizaki that it is a shame that modern technology and architecture are putting an end to it. I would absolutely love to one day be able to know about the experience first hand. I think that it would be beautiful and grounding. The reflection of the gold embellishments that he described would be especially beautiful, I think. And with the way Tanizaki described the Noh theatre, I completely understand why he would’ve preferred it to the other; the intrinsic value and beauty it had with the masks, the stage, and the environment at night, lit by candles, I imagine it would look almost otherworldly.